Top Performances: Day 3 of the state tournament (4A-6A) – Part 1

<p>The FHSAA state tournament was in full force on Wednesday at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland with six semifinal matchups between Class 4A, 5A and 6A.</p> <p>Results and the top performers are listed below.</p> <p><strong><em>4A semifinals</em></strong></p> <p>Westminster 64, University Christian 57</p> <p>Seffner Christian 68, Riviera Prep 59</p> <p><em><strong>5A semifinals</strong></em></p> <p>Andrew Jackson 69, Tampa Catholic 55</p> <p>University 91, The Villages 53</p> <p><em><strong>6A semifinals</strong></em></p> <p>Lakewood 61, Paxon 49</p> <p>Stranahan 76, Nature Coast 45</p> <h2><strong>Sam Griffin, Chase Johnston &amp; Ben Middlebrooks (Westminster)</strong></h2> <p>The Lions are headed to the state championship for the fourth consecutive year after beating University Christian in a close tilt. 2019 UT Arlington signee Sam Griffin picked up the slack in the fourth quarter for Westminster with 13 points to finish with a game-high 25 points on the day. 2019 IPFW signee Chase Johnston added 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field. The biggest all-around hustle performance from the tournament so far was from 2022 forward Ben Middlebrooks who finished with 17 points, eight blocks and five points. The freshman was putting his body on the line all game long.</p> <h2><strong>Willie Jones, Mike Trigg and Cornelius Bobo (Seffner Christian)</strong></h2> <p>The "Big 3" for Seffner Christian combined for 53 of the Crusaders' 68 points as they moved into their very first state championship in school history.  Willie Jones led the charge with 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting from the field including 13 points in the first quarter alone. Cornelius Bobo and Mike Trigg each had 15 points and worked endlessly in the halfcourt offense. Bobo was big on the boards with 12 rebounds in total including eight on the offensive glass. Also, 2019 guard Khalil Waleed suffered a busted lip in the first quarter but came back to finish with eight points in a gritty performance.</p> <h2><strong>Esteban Lluberes &amp; Osmar Garcia Araujo (Riviera Prep)</strong></h2> <p>First timers in the state tournament, Riviera Prep hung tough all game long against Seffner Christian. The Bulldogs trailed by as many as 14 and then led by seven with just over three minutes left in the third quarter. Speedy 2022 guard Esteban Lluberes was highly impressive with a game-high 25 points as he finessed inside time and time again. 2023 forward Osmar Garcia Araujo is a true prospect to watch at his 6'6" frame as he finished with 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting overall.</p> <h2><strong>Denzel Wiggins &amp; Lenzy Hancock (University Christian)</strong></h2> <p>It was a true combo effort from 2019 guard Denzel Wiggins and 2020 forward Lenzy Hancock. Wiggins led his side with 21 points and continued to shoot well and attack the basket with 6-of-12 shooting from the field. Hancock did most of his damage in the first half but continued to contribute in the second half to finish with 16 points. His length at 6'8" is a true asset and his jump shot is coming along. 2019 guard Michael Griffin also chipped in with nine points.</p> <h2><strong>Jamille Reynolds, Oteman Delancey &amp; Jermaine Phillips (Lakewood)</strong></h2> <p>With 2019 guard Jalen White fouling out in the second half, it was the trio of 2020 forward Jamille Reynolds, 2021 guard Oteman Delancey and 2019 guard Jermaine Phillips all shined for Lakewood in its win over Paxon. Reynolds was a perfect 7-of-7 from the field finishing with 16 points. Delancey had 16 points and six rebounds before fouling out in the second half as well. Phillips gave the Spartans tough minutes with 13 points and six rebounds. All three have been steady all season long and it is no different so far in Lakeland.</p> <h2><strong>Isaiah Adams (Paxon)</strong></h2> <p>It was a true workmanlike effort from 2020 Paxon forward Isaiah Adams. The 6'7" junior wing had 26 points on 9-of-18 from the field and 8-of-9 from the free throw line. The Eagles needed all of Adams' grit. He scored 11 points in the first three minutes of the third quarter in a dominant stretch. Adams fouled out late and played in foul trouble much of the game, but he really put in the work and it was a joy to watch.</p>